in fear of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'in fear of' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a feeling of being afraid of something or someone. For example, "The villagers marched through town in fear of the approaching army."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I was in fear of my life".

Independent

Officials live in fear of his wrath.

The Economist

Barney lives in fear of Slapsgiving.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In fear of diversity, opportunity and inclusion".

The Guardian - Film

I live in fear of Boko Haram.

The Guardian

"I lived in fear of it".

The New Yorker

Communities lived in fear of it.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was in fear of his life".

The New York Times

Israelis live in fear of suicide bombs; Palestinians in fear of Israeli punishment.

The Economist

"No one here is in fear of David.

The New York Times

"I live in fear of November, I really do".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in fear of" to express a state of apprehension or dread caused by a specific threat or possibility. It's most effective when the source of fear is clearly identified.

Common error

Avoid using "in fear of" without specifying what is causing the fear. For instance, instead of saying "They lived in fear", specify what they were afraid of: "They lived in fear of constant attacks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in fear of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the reason or cause for a particular emotional state. It specifies the object or situation that someone is afraid of. Ludwig confirms the correct and widespread usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in fear of" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for conveying apprehension or dread. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As the analysis shows, this prepositional phrase typically modifies a verb or noun to specify the reason for fear, as exemplified in numerous instances from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the source of the fear. While there are many alternatives, such as "afraid of" or "terrified of", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

afraid of

Replaces the preposition "in fear of" with a simpler adjective, "afraid", maintaining the core meaning of being scared.

terrified of

Intensifies the emotion, conveying a stronger sense of dread compared to "in fear of".

apprehensive about

Shifts the focus slightly towards anticipation of something unpleasant, rather than a current state of fear.

worried about

Indicates a state of concern and anxiety, often about potential future events, similar to being "in fear of".

anxious about

Similar to "worried about", but may suggest a more intense and prolonged state of unease.

dreading

Focuses on anticipating something unpleasant with fear or reluctance.

concerned about

Indicates a state of worry and care, particularly about possible adverse developments.

uneasy about

Suggests a mild level of anxiety or apprehension regarding a situation or event.

with trepidation

Replaces the phrase with an adverbial phrase indicating apprehension or fear about something that is going to happen.

alarmed by

Implies a sudden feeling of fear or anxiety caused by something unexpected.

FAQs

How can I use "in fear of" in a sentence?

Use "in fear of" to describe the state of being afraid or apprehensive about something. For example, "The villagers lived "in fear of the approaching army"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in fear of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "afraid of", "terrified of", or "apprehensive about".

Is it correct to say "in fears of" instead of "in fear of"?

No, the correct phrase is "in fear of". "In fears of" is grammatically incorrect. Always use the singular form "fear" in this context.

What's the difference between "in fear of" and "in danger of"?

"In fear of" describes an emotional state of being afraid, while "in danger of" describes an objective state of potential harm or risk. You might be "in fear of" something that is unlikely to happen, but "in danger of" implies a real and present threat.